Newsletter

Should historic structures in Elkins be protected? Or should owners have the right to do whatever they want with their historic properties?

Elkins residents have two options for expressing opinions about these and related questions, the Elkins Planning Commission announced today. An online survey, designed to take only a few minutes to complete, is available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ElkinsZoningUpdate through September 23rd. Input will also be accepted at an open house held in the Caboose Room at the Elkins Depot Welcome Center on Tuesday, October 25 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The commission is collecting this information as part of an ongoing project to update the city’s zoning laws, which have not been significantly amended since their initial adoption in the 1950s. The West Virginia College of Law Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic is assisting with this effort.

An email address has been set up exclusively for the public to report non-emergency information directly to the Elkins Police Department. Any tips, photos or videos submitted will be reviewed daily and may be used internally or externally in the resolution of criminal matters. Citizens should be advised that police officials will not be responding to those submitting emails as they will be busy following up on your tips. Email any crime-related, non-emergency information to elkinspolice@cityofelkinswv.com.

The City of Elkins has installed a secure payment drop box behind City Hall that may be accessed by pedestrian and vehicle traffic alike. The box will be checked multiple times throughout the day for any business, utility or municipal payments. The drop box formerly located on the front door of City Hall will no longer be in use.

On Monday, August 1, 2016, the City of Elkins will start adding a polyphosphate corrosion inhibitor to our water treatment process.

Here are some basic facts of what we anticipate during the transition period:

Within the first three months, August 1st – October 1st, which is the initial break in period of adding phosphate to a system, it is possible to have cloudy or somewhat turbid water in the distribution system periodically. This is an indicator of the phosphate doing what it is intended to do as the phosphate is designed to remove any calcium and iron/manganese hardness buildup in the distribution system. During the break-in period, the phosphate will form a base layer on the distribution system piping in a controlled filming treatment. This method of treatment provides a strong protective film while scrubbing away old deposits and biofilm formations and also allows for the sequestering of metals.

Blended phosphates use the ortho and poly forms of phosphate to produce products capable of corrosion control and sequestering and are more stable than many single ingredient formulations. We look forward to seeing the future results in the ongoing protection and advancement of our combined systems.

Do you have expired or unused medicine at home? Keep reading to find out the risks and recommended methods of disposal.

Unused medications kept in the home may cause:

– Unintended exposure of children or pets to harmful medications

– Opportunity for illegal activity – More than 50% of prescription drug abusers obtain the drugs from family or friends (awarerx.pharmacy/dispose-safely)

Some things to consider before flushing unused medications:

– Water treatment plants are not designed to deal with pharmaceutical waste. Many medicines pass through the systems and are released into surface water sources

-Medicine in surface water may cause adverse effects in fish and other wildlife, as well as unintentional human exposure

Safe ways to dispose of unused medications include:

– Mixing the medication with an unpalatable substance (kitty litter, coffee grounds), placing the substance in a sealed plastic bag and putting it in your household trash. Be sure to scratch out any personal information and dispose of the container separately.

– Drop medications in a secure box like the one located at Elkins City Hall (pictured above) or at a designated take-back event.

The City of Elkins will hold a public informational presentation on upcoming changes and improvements to the City’s water treatment plant and distribution system. All individuals interested in learning more about the City’s drinking water system are encouraged to attend.

Topics to be addressed include:

Discussion on current issues and concerns with the City’s water treatment plant and distribution system

Planned changes to the current water treatment process

Overview of the Water Improvement Project and its expected benefits

The public meeting will be held at the Elkins Recreation and Event Center at 6:30 p.m. on July 20, 2016.

The City of Elkins is in the process of creating its own database to notify residents of alerts in a faster manner. These alerts can be sent to residents via text message and/or email in a matter of minutes through Nixle, a community information service.

If you would like to sign up to receive alerts, email Operations Assistant Melody Himes at mhimes@cityofelkinswv.com. Please note your preference to receive alerts via text and/or email. Your information will be added to the database and will not be shared with an outside party.

We would like to thank the Randolph County Office of Emergency Management for graciously sharing access to this service.

For more information, please contact the City of Elkins Operations Division at 304-636-1414 ext. 1437.

Citywide hydrant flushing and flow testing will begin at approximately 8 a.m. on Monday, May 16th and continue until all hydrants have been flushed and tested. Hydrant flushing is necessary to maintain water clarity and quality in the distribution lines. Hydrant flow testing is necessary to ensure that the hydrants are capable of providing water at an acceptable pressure and flow rate for firefighting operations.
As a result of the line flushing process, residents in the immediate vicinity of the work may experience cloudy or discolored water. To clear the water, allow cold water faucets to run for approximately 10 minutes. If the water does not clear, try again in one hour. Use caution before washing laundry, especially light colored items.

Exciting developments are underway at the Elkins Recreation and Event Center. Formerly the Elkins National Guard Armory, the building has undergone significant renovations and is primed to be used for a variety of functions – including, but not limited to, concerts, fundraisers, dinners and sporting events.

We are opening our doors to the public on May 18 for a grand opening. An open meeting of the Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a ribbon cutting with the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce. Guests will be invited to tour the facility – either with a guide or at their own discretion. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

The Elkins Recreation and Event Center, Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission and City of Elkins, would like to cordially invite you to attend this exciting event. We encourage you to come and see for yourself the progress we’ve made at the facility and find out more about our plans for the future.